Viibryd

What Is Viibryd (Vilazodone Hydrochloride)?

Viibryd is the brand name of vilazodone hydrochloride, a prescription
drug used to treat major depressive disorder, defined as one or more
major depressive
episodes.

Viibryd belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). They work by blocking the
reabsorption of the
neurotransmitter serotonin, which allows more serotonin to remain in
the brain, where it continues to pass messages among nerve cells,
thereby improving
mood.

As with some other antidepressants, Viibryd may be prescribed
"off-label" to help treat anxiety, bipolar disorder, and
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Viibryd, which is
manufactured by Forest Laboratories, in 2011.

Viibryd and Weight Gain

Some Viibryd users have reported anecdotally that they rapidly gained
weight after taking the drug.

In eight-week-long placebo-controlled studies, about 2 percent of
people experienced an increase in appetite (while other people
experienced decreased
appetite), but Viibryd was found to have no significant effect on
weight gain or loss.

Viibryd and 'Brain Zaps'

Some people have reported experiencing "brain zaps" from taking
Viibryd, especially when they suddenly went off the drug.

This feeling is described as a brief, intense bout of disorientation
accompanied by an electric-jolt-like sensation in the head, which may
travel down the
spine, arms, and legs.

Sensory disturbances, including "electric shock sensations," are
listedas possible withdrawal symptoms that may be experienced
when
Viibryd is discontinued.

Other Viibryd withdrawal symptoms include:

Anxiety

Irritability and mood changes

Restlessness and sleepiness

Headaches

Sweating

Nausea and dizziness

Tremors

Confusion

Viibryd Warnings

Viibryd, like other antidepressants, carries a black-box warning
that it can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in
children, adolescents, and young adults who take it.

Children shouldn't use Viibryd. No one who has taken a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 14 days should take Viibryd.
Additionally, you
need to wait 14 days after stopping Viibryd before taking an MAOI.

The use of SSRIs, including Viibryd, is associated with the development
of the potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of
serotonin
syndrome include:

Mental status changes, such as agitation, hallucinations,
delirium, and coma

Instability of the autonomic nervous system, resulting in
rapid heart rate, flushing, hyperthermia, and altered blood pressure,
among other things

Pregnancy and Viibryd

The FDA classifies Viibryd as a Pregnancy Category C drug, meaning it
may harm a developing fetus but no adequate and well-controlled studies
have been
conducted in pregnant women.

Viibryd should only be used if the potential benefits to the woman
outweigh the potential risk to the fetus.

Research has shown that vilazodone is excreted in the milk of lactating
rats, but it's unknown if the same is true for breastfeeding women.
Again, the risk
and benefits of using Viibryd must be carefully weighed.

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